LPA moves closer to south Mindanao, rain expected over parts of Luzon Saturday

Rain may fall over parts of Metro Manila and other parts of Luzon as well as Mindanao on Saturday, as a potential cyclone—a low-pressure area (LPA)—moved closer to southern Mindanao Friday afternoon, state weather forecasters said.

PAGASA said the LPA was estimated at 960 km east of southern Mindanao as of 4 p.m., even as a weak southwest monsoon will affect the western section of Luzon.

"The provinces of Zambales, Bataan, Batangas, Mindoro, Palawan, Surigao, and Davao Oriental will have cloudy skies with light to moderate rain showers and thunderstorms," PAGASA said in its 5 p.m. bulletin.

It added Metro Manila and the rest of the country will be "partly cloudy to cloudy with isolated rain showers or thunderstorms."

Earlier, PAGASA said there is still a chance the LPA may intensify into a cyclone as it is still at sea and can gather strength.

Saturday outlook

PAGASA said moderate to strong winds from the southwest to south will prevail over the western section of Luzon and the coastal waters along this area will be moderate to rough.

Light to moderate winds coming from the southeast to south will prevail over the rest of Luzon and from the northeast to northwest over Visayas and Mindanao with slight to moderate seas.

Meanwhile, PAGASA said strong to gale-force winds associated with the southwest monsoon may affect the western seaboard of northern and Central Luzon.

"Fishing boats and other small seacrafts are advised not to venture out into the sea while larger sea vessels are alerted against big waves," it said.  — KBK, GMA News